MP calls on Church of England to reinstate small-scale funerals

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A local MP is calling on the Church of England to reinstate small-scale funerals, which he says is within its power.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder says the “tragedy of direct cremation” to minimise the spread of coronavirus is causing grief to become trauma for many bereaved families.

Mr Loder has written a letter, co-signed by 36 fellow MPs, to ask Lord Archbishops and Diocesan Bishops of the Church of England “to fulfil the wishes of the deceased and bereaved; by allowing clergy back into their churches to provide funerals, according to government guidance.”

The letter reads: “I write on behalf of my colleagues undersigned with our immediate concern that the wishes of the deceased and bereaved are not being fulfilled with a proper committal in the church of their wish.

“The grief of bereavement is being translated to trauma in many cases, especially where it is resulting in the tragedy of direct cremation.

“The government guidance is clear; funerals, with proper measures in place, are permitted and indeed encouraged. The Secretary of State for Communities has made it clear that this is within the government’s guidance.

“It is now a matter for you to decide, and is within your ability, to enable small-scale funerals within the Church of England to now take place.”

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